Cordons lifted as 'high-risk explosive' made safe in Christchurch
The police cordon at Sheffield Crescent in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ/Anna SargentCordons have been lifted after following reports of a concerning substance in Christchurch this afternoon. Residents had been evacuated from Burnside, near Christchurch Airport, after a "high-risk explosive" was found. Cordons were in place around Sheffield Crescent in Burnside after police were alerted to the substance shortly before 2.30pm on Thursday. "All members of the public are advised to immediately evacuate the area in the vicinity of Sheffield Cres Burnside Christchurch and surrounding area due to high-risk explosive substance located," the alert said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 05:00 UTC
Classic car stolen from Gore may be in Christchurch
The 1971 white Ford Fairmont, registration FW8797, is believed to be in the Christchurch area. Photo: PoliceAn appeal has been made for information about the theft of a classic 1971 white Ford Fairmont which may be in the Christchurch area. The Fairmont, registration FW8797, is believed to have been stolen from a residential property on Maitland Street in Gore between Wednesday, March 4, and Saturday, March 7. "Following initial enquiries into the incident, police believe the vehicle may be in the Christchurch area," a police spokesperson said in a statement. Photo: Police"Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the Ford Fairmont in the Gore or Christchurch areas following Wednesday 4 March.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 04:00 UTC
Nepalese community mourns Southland crash victims
The Southland Nepalese community is in shock after the death of two of its own in a car crash. Anita Pathak and daughter Dikshika Pathak were killed on their way to work in rural Southland on March 10. The Southland Nepalese Society paid tribute to the pair on social media. "Even a small contribution from you during this difficult time can provide significant relief to the Pathak family. The Southland Nepalese Society family sincerely requests everyone to support the family as much as possible."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 04:00 UTC
Plumber referred after 89-year-old dies from bath burns
The woman died after getting into a bath filled with scalding hot water. Ms Ingham was rushed to hospital with burns on her armpit and back covering 16% of her body. By law, apartment block hot water systems are meant to keep water above 60ºC to prevent bacterial build-up. Temperature control devices mix this hot water with cold, ensuring that what flows out of taps within a home does not exceed 50ºC. In September 2022, another plumbing company was retained to install temperature control devices in the building.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 02:57 UTC
Threat against school not credible - police
Police say there is no information to suggest a threat made towards a Timaru school this week was credible. But they are still looking for the person who sent the message. Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said police were alerted to the message containing a threat about 7.45pm on Tuesday. "We will not detail the specifics of the threat, however, investigators are actively pursuing positive lines of enquiry to identify the person responsible for sending the message," Walker said in a statement. "Officers are providing reassurance patrols in the area, and we are working closely with the school as the investigation progresses.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 02:52 UTC
'Devastating news' for prestigious South Island golf club
The Pegasus Golf and Sports Club. Photo: BayleysThe prestigious Pegasus golf club in Canterbury has been put into voluntary liquidation. Pegasus Golf Ltd announced the liquidation on March 6 in a social media post, and reassured its members the club would remain open during the process. Keene told The Hotel Conversation the offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire a freehold championship golf resort with immediate operational scale and long-term development upside. “Freehold championship golf resorts with established operations and clear development pathways are exceptionally rare.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 02:51 UTC
Dunedin hit by Air NZ cancellations
Photo: Supplied / Air NZDunedin services will be cut as Air New Zealand is set to cancel around 1100 flights affecting thousands of passengers through until early May. Air NZ chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar told Morning Report between now and the end of April, early May the airline will cancel around 1100 flights. In that period the airline will carry around 1.9 million passengers, so 44,000 passengers will be affected by flight cancellations, he said. Air New Zealand is facing more massive cost pressures, with the conflict in the Middle East increasing the price of jet fuel. Last month, Air NZ announced a half-year loss of $40 million in the six months ended December, compared to last year's profit of $106m.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 02:51 UTC
Woman killed in Auckland cafe car crash mourned
Sarah Clark died on Wednesday. Photo: Windsor Park Baptist Church / suppliedA woman who was killed after a car crashed into an Auckland cafe is being remembered for her faith, friendship and care she showed others. Shortly before 9am on Wednesday, Sarah Clark was killed and her daughter injured, after a car mounted the curb and hit two people outside William Souter Espresso in Forrest Hill. A worker at the cafe that was hit by the car said Clark and her daughter were sitting outside at the time. "The car obviously has taken out the door area, the whole glass panel, it's almost like a split glass panel and the one glass panel is literally floating in mid-air."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 02:49 UTC
Four govt targets still at risk of not being met
Graphic: RNZFour of the government's nine key targets risk not being met, the latest update shows. Targets considered "on track" include reducing the number of households in emergency housing, cutting crime and youth offending, and meeting near-term greenhouse gas emission targets. When setting this target, officials warned there was a risk it would not be achievable in the short term. "There would be a risk the target is achieved by focusing resources intensively in ED at the expense of other areas of the health system. ClimateThere are two targets New Zealand has committed to meeting as part of its net zero climate change goal.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 01:45 UTC
Man guilty of murdering and dismembering Canterbury dad
Photo: RNZ / Nathan MckinnonA man has been found guilty of murdering Canterbury father of three Richard Leman, whose dismembered body was found in the boot of his own car. "They found Mr Leman and Mr Rodger in the lounge facing each other, while Mr Rodger had a gun in his hand." Richard Leman. Both women told the jury Rodger had threatened to kill them, took Leman's drugs and cash and dragged his body to another room. Rodger told the jury Leman was already dead when he arrived at Grant's property but he admitted concealing and dismembering Leman's body.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 01:45 UTC
Flights cancelled due to volcanic ash
Volcanic ash from Whakaari/White Island has caused 19 flights to be cancelled. File Photo: GNSAir New Zealand has cancelled 19 flights due to an ash cloud coming from Whakaari/White Island in the Bay of Plenty. GeoNet's volcanic alert says there is moderate to heightened volcanic unrest on the island. It's the second time in four months flight have been cancelled in an out of Tauranga because of ash. Air NZ's chief safety and risk officer Nathan McGraw says they'll reassess conditions this afternoon.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 00:43 UTC
Alabama death row inmate Charles Burton spared two days before execution
“I firmly believe that the death penalty is just punishment for society’s most heinous offenders, as shown by the 25 executions I have presided over as governor,” Ivey said. The daughter of the shooting victim, Tori Battle, who was nine when her father died, also voiced her support for Burton. His death had a bearing on Ivey’s subsequent decision to commute Burton’s death sentence. Marshall told NBC News, Burton did not deserve special treatment because of his age, arguing the execution could have taken place years earlier if Burton had not pursued repeated appeals. Sign up for Herald Premium here.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2026 00:43 UTC
Flight cancellations: What are your rights?
Photo: RNZ/ Samuel RillstoneAir New Zealand is warning 44,000 passengers will be affected by cancellations over the coming months - so what are your rights if you're one of them? The airline is facing massive cost pressures, with the conflict in the Middle East increasing the price of jet fuel. On the No Stupid Questions podcast this week, we talked to Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker about travellers' rights if their travel is cancelled. "The most important thing you can do if you're due to travel is just keep looking at the airline's website. Travel insurance might not help.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 00:41 UTC
General Debate 12 March 2026
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Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2026 00:32 UTC